Show-case.



PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908. A. N. LAWRENCE.

wow CASE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.18,1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE uomus PETERS 50-. WASHINGTON. n42.

PATENTED FEB.18 1908. N0 879655 A. N. LAWRENCE.

SHOW CASE.

APPLICATION FILED APE.18.1907.

2 SHEETSSHEET -2.

1H: NORRIS PETERS p04, WASHINGTON, v. c.

ANDREW N. LAWRENCE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

SHOW-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1908.

Application filed April 18. 1907. Serial No. 369.173.

, To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW N. LAw RENCE, of the city of Los Angeles, inthe county of Los Angeles, in the State of California, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Show-Cases, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact specification, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the figures and reference-numeralsmarked thereon.

My said invention relates to that class of show cases, wherein swingingshelves are suspended from horizontal rods, the extremities of whichrods are pivoted in socket bearings attached to endless chain belts,said chain belts being rotated by means of sprocket wheels driven bysuitable mechanism.

The principal object of my said invention is to provide a show casewherein the shelves can be continuously rotated in the interior of thecase, thereby thoroughly exhibiting the dis )lay of merchandisecontained therein, an is particularly adapted for use in stores,oflices, libraries, and residences, or other places where show cases areused.

Another object of my said invention is to provide a show case adapted tothe display and exhibition of various classes of merchandise, soconstructed and arranged that convenient access is had to the contentsthereof at all times.

The chief advantage of a show case of this nature, is the large capacityof display in comparison with the small amount-of space required.Another advantage being the effective display obtained in attractingattention by the use of motion.

1 accomplish these objects by means of the device hereinafter described,and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Figure 1, is a front elevation of my new or improved show case, with aportion of the front casing removed. Fig. 2, is an end elevation ofFig. 1. Fig. 8, is a cross section on the line a, a, Fig. 1. Fig. 4, isan enlarged view in perspective of a portion of one of the endless chainbelts, showing socket bearings attached thereto. Fig; 5, is another viewof the socket bearing. Fig. 6, is a view in perspective of a portion ofa shelf and suspension rod, with triangular hanger attached thereto.Fig. 7, is a front elevation of an adjustable brace. Fig. 8, is adetailed view in elevation of one of the interior rotating sprocketwheels. Fig. 9, is a section on the line b, b, Fig. 8, showing journalsas used with both interior and exterior rotating sprocket wheels. Fig.10, is a similar section as Fig. 9, where only an interior rotatingsprocket wheel is required. Fig. 11, is a sectional view on the line 0,c, Fig. 9, and parallel to the plane of Fig.8.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the body portion of my show case is marked 1, theend portions 2, the base 3, and the side casings 4. The side casings 4,form frames for the panels 5, which may be of glass or other suitablematerial. The ends 2, base 3, and side casings 4, may be constructed ofwood or metal. The top 6, of wood, glass, or other suitable material,forms a covering for the case 1, and may be attached to the ends 2, andside casings 4, in any desired manner. Drop doors 7, and 7, as shown inFigs. 1, and 3, are fitted in the side casings 4, to give access to theinterior of the show case 1. These drop doors- 7, and 7, are providedwith hinges 8, aflixed to the lower edges thereof, and secured to theside casings 4, so that the drop doors 7, and 7, may swing out anddownwardly as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

Slide braces 9, of any desired style, are affixed to the drop doors 7,and 7 and the side casings 4, for the purpose of retaining the door in ahorizontal position when open, thereby forming a shelf or displaycounter. A catch 10, is used to fasten the doors 7, and 7, when closed.Display shelves 11, are rigidly secured at both ends, to the base oftriangular hangers 12, which are pivotally suspended from horizontalrods 13, extending longitudinally in the interior of the case 1. Theextremities of the rods 13, are pivotally mounted in socket bearings 14,which are attached to the endless chain-belts 15, and 15, by means ofbolts 16, as shown in Figs. 4, and 5. The endless chain-beltsl 5, and15, are carried by sprocket wheels 17, and 17, rigidly mounted onjournals 18, and 18, and placed on the inner side of the end portions 2.The journals 18,- and 18, pass through journal bearings 19, from theinterior of the case 1, and are retained in position therein by means oflock nuts 20, as shown in Figs. 10, excepting where journals 18, arefitted with exterior sprocket wheels 21, and 21, as shown in Figs. 1, 2,and 9. The journal bearings 19, are inserted in the end ortions 2, ofthe case 1, and are secured in p ace by means of plates 22, and 22,fastened to end portions 2, by means of screws 23. -Adjustable braces24, are placed over the plates 22, on the interior face of the endportlons 2, of the case 1, and firmly secured thereto by means of'bolt's'25, forthe purpose of adjusting and supporting the journalbearings 19, as shown in Figs. 3, and 8.

Endless chain belts 26, and 26, connect, sprocket wheels 21, and 21,with sprocket wheels 27, and 2 7 respectively. The sprocket Wheels 27,and 27, are rigidly mounted on the extremities of a horizontal shaft128, Which extends longitudinally through the lower portion of the case1, and parallel to the bottom thereof. Said shaft 28, passes throughanti-friction bearings 29, and '29, inserted in the end portions 2, ofthe case 1, as shown in Fig. 1, and issupported near the centerofitslength by means-of a bearing 30. On the shaft 28,is rigidlymounter'l'a-sproc'ket wheel 21 which is geared to a sprocket chain 32,passing down through an aperture 32, in the base 3, and-connected to anysuitable power for the operation thereof.

A sub-casing 33, may be attached to the end portions 2, of the case 1,as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, for the purpose of inclosing andprotecting the exterior mechanism.

When power is applied to the sprocket chain 32, motion is transmittedthrough the sprocket wheel 31, to the shaft 28, thereby rotating thesprocket Wheels 27, and 27, carrying the endless chain belts 26, and 26,in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 2, and 3, therebycausing the sprocket wheels 21, and 21, to revolve and transmit motionthrough the j ournal 18 to the sprocket wheels 17, on the interior ofthe case 1. The revolving of the sprocket wheels '17, cause the-endlesschains 15, and 15, to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows inFigs. '2, and-3. It will be seen by this opera tion, that as the endlesschain belts 15, are rotated around the sprocket wheels 17, and 17, asparticularly shown in Fig. 3, the:

socket bearings 14, carry the rods 13, and the swingingshelves 11, up toand across the top, and down to and across the bottom of the interior ofthe case 1, thereby causing a continuous rotation of the swingingshelves 11.

The swinging shelves 1 1, being hungloosely upon the bars 13, by meansof the hangers 12, the bars 13, being pivotally suspended from theendless chain belts 15, and 15, the} shelves 11, are caused to berotated in a horizontal position by means of their weight.

friction less chain belts upon which said socket bearings are carried,sprocket wheels mounted on journals and adapted to support said chainbelts, anti-friction hearings to receive said ']O'11I I1tlS, metallicplates retammg said bearings in position and adjustable angular bracesmade in two sections, pivoted at the vertex and adapted to sup. ortand'adjust the before mentioned journa s, substantially as de scribed.

2. In a showcase, the combination of a suitable case, aplurality ofshelves suspended from rods by hangers, socket "bearings in which theextremities of said rods are pivotally mounted, endless chain belts uponwhich said socket bearings are carried, sprocket wheels rigidly mounted'on journals and adapted to support said chain belts, means foradjusting said journals journal boxes fitted with anti-friction rollersin which the before mentioned journals are carried, two of saidjournalsextending through said ournal boxes and provided with sprocketwheels rigidly mounted on the extremities thereof, two endless chainbelts carried upon the last named sprocket wheels, an equalizing shaftextending longitudinally across and near the bottom of the case, havingboth extremities projectim through the ends thereof, antiearings inwhich said shaft is mounted, sprocket wheels rigidly "mounted on theextremities of said shaft adapted to operate the, last named endlesschain belts,

and a sprocket wheel mounted near the center of said equalizing shaftwith means to connect with a suitable driving power for rotating thesame, all operating in the manner and for the purposes substantially ashereinbefore described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto setmy hand andseal atthe'cityofLos Angeles aforesaid, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

AEDEEW N. LAWRENCE. [L 5.]

Witnesses:

R. S. BERRY, L. S. READ.

